British Magestic Castles

Large majestic castles cover the land of Great Britain. Castles are a huge tourist attraction in today’s time. They are popular because of their detailed paintings, tapestries, large walls, tall towers, and intricate architectural design. However, these incredible structures would be non-existent if the Anglo-Saxon Era had not occurred through the Middle Ages. Due to constant battling in the Anglo-Saxon era, defensive buildings, such as castles and fortified cities, became a necessity for Anglo-Saxon people in order to carry out their common lives.

“Crusaders built castles for protection against poorly disciplined armies (Streissguth, 187) (Pounds, 25).” Many armies ransacked and took over various towns while, in turn, gaining power and fortune. While these misfortunes were happening, people had to find ways to protect themselves. During this time in Great Britain, there was no universal law. People had loyalty to their kings and leaders, but none to other leaders. The soldiers were told to attack a castle they would follow there loyalty towards the king. When an army knew it was strong and could defeat another, they would. The goal of many was to become rich and have land. They did this by taking from the unfortunate others. The common folk needed to find ways to stand up for themselves and protect their possessions.

Inside the castles, people had to find ways to protect themselves from the constant threat of robbery. “Most homes were wooden at this time. In 1100, stone walls were built, in between ditches and baileys for added protection (Pounds, 37).” The purpose of the walls was to delay the first wave of attackers in order to provide the defenders time to prepare for battle. “Attackers used fire, a key weapon to destroy ho...

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...200s to 1300s) castles strength peaked (Castles and Forts).” Knowing this means, that turmoil in these years was extremely high causing castles to need to strengthen up as much as possible. One hundred years is a short period for castles to go from wooden forts into great stone masterpieces.

Well built fortified cities, castles, formed because of the course of a violent history. They originated as defensive structures that were innovated into marvelous structures throughout Great Britain. Castles are a symbol of power and strength; they are a symbol of strength, because their original reason was for defense. The strongest castle was the one with the most strength, and the one that lasted the longest. The time was the time of feudal systems, the landowners had to protect their land and their people. They needed many large building to hold them and to protect them.